Chapter 12: The Summit Invitation

Three months later, everything changed with a single letter.

I was in my office reviewing supply reports when Dax knocked on the door. His expression was strange. Worried and excited at once.

“Alpha, a messenger just arrived. From the Continental Council.” He handed me an official-looking envelope. The seal was marked with five intertwined wolves. The symbol of the highest pack authority.

My hands shook slightly as I opened it. The letter inside was written in formal language, but the message was clear. The Continental Alpha Summit would be held in six weeks. All recognised Alphas were required to attend.

“What does it say?” Maya asked, coming to read over my shoulder.

“I have to go to the Summit.” I set the letter down carefully. “It’s mandatory for all pack leaders.”

“That’s good, right? It means they recognise you as a legitimate Alpha.” Maya grinned. “Your pack is official now.”

“It also means Kaden will be there.” The words came out quieter than I intended.

The room went silent. Everyone knew about Kaden. About what he’d done to me. It wasn’t a secret I could keep from my own pack.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Maya offered immediately.

“I’ll need my Beta there anyway. It’s expected.” I looked at Dax. “You too. Every Alpha brings their top people.”

“I’ll start preparing.” Dax nodded and left to handle arrangements.

After he was gone, Maya sat across from me. “How are you feeling? About seeing him again?”

“I don’t know.” I stared at the letter. “Part of me wants to show him what he lost. Let him see what I became without him.”

“And the other part?”

“I'm scared I’ll still feel something. That seeing him will hurt as much as leaving did.” I looked up at my friend. “What if I’m not as over him as I think?”

“Then you’ll deal with it. You’re not that broken girl anymore, Aria. You’re an Alpha. You’re strong enough to handle whatever you feel.”

She was right. I’d come so far. Built so much. One encounter with Kaden couldn’t undo all that growth.

Could it?

The next six weeks passed in a blur of preparation. Elder Thorne coached me on Summit politics. Who the important Alphas were. What alliances existed? How to navigate the complicated social rules.

“The Summit is part negotiation, part showing strength,” he explained. “Other Alphas will test you. Try to see if you’re weak. You need to project confidence even if you’re nervous inside.”

“What about Shadowpine? Will Kaden try to approach me?”

“Almost certainly. He’s been looking for you for nine months now. When he sees you at the Summit, he’ll want answers.” Elder Thorne’s expression was serious. “You need to decide now how you’ll handle that.”

I thought about it for days. Practised responses in my head. Imagined different scenarios. But I couldn’t predict how I’d actually feel until the moment came.

My pack threw me a small celebration the night before we left. They’d grown to care about me, and I’d grown to care about them. These wolves were my family now.

“Bring honour to Crescent Ridge,” one of the older wolves said, clasping my hand. “Show them we’re strong again.”

“I will,” I promised.

We travelled for two days to reach the Summit location. It was held at a massive resort in neutral territory. A place built specifically for these gatherings. The building was beautiful. All stone and wood, blending into the mountain landscape.

But what struck me most were the wolves. Hundreds of them. Alphas and their people from across the continent. The power in the air was thick enough to choke on.

“Stay close,” I told Maya and Dax as we entered. “Don’t let anyone separate us.”

The main hall was enormous. Tables were set up for each pack, marked with their territory names. I found ours easily. Crescent Ridge, in smaller letters than many others, but there nonetheless.

“Not bad for a new Alpha,” Dax murmured, looking around. “You belong here.”

I wasn’t so sure. Many of the other Alphas looked old. Experienced. They’d been leading for decades. I’d been Alpha for less than six months.

“Aria Silvermoon?” A woman’s voice made me turn.

She was tall and elegant, with silver streaks in her dark hair. Her eyes were kind but assessing. “I’m Alpha Catherine of Riverside Pack. I wanted to meet the young Alpha everyone’s been talking about.”

“Talking about?” I tried not to sound nervous.

“A silver wolf who took over a dying pack and brought it back to life in months? Of course, people are talking.” She smiled. “Don’t look so worried. Most of the talk is good. Curious. We don’t see many female Alphas, especially not young ones.”

“I’m just trying to take care of my pack,” I said honestly.

“That’s all any of us are doing. The good ones, anyway.” She glanced across the room. “Fair warning. Alpha Kaden of Shadowpine arrived this morning. He’s been asking about you.”

My heart jumped into my throat. “Has he seen me yet?”

“Not that I know of. But he will soon. This isn’t a large gathering.” Catherine squeezed my shoulder gently. “Whatever history you two have, remember you’re an Alpha now. You’re his equal. Don’t let him make you feel small.”

She walked away before I could respond. I scanned the room, looking for him despite myself.

And then I saw him.

Kaden stood across the hall, talking to another Alpha. He looked the same but different. Older somehow. Tired. His shoulders were tense, his smile forced.

Then his eyes found mine.

Everything stopped. The noise of the room faded. All I could see was him. All I could feel was the bond between us, damaged but still there, pulling tight.

His face went through a dozen emotions in seconds. Shock. Disbelief. Relief. Hope. Pain.

He started moving toward me, pushing through the crowd. My body wanted to run to him. Wanted to close the distance and feel his arms around me again.

But I forced myself to stay still. To stand tall. To remember who I was now.

“Alpha Aria,” Maya whispered urgently. “What do you want to do?”

Before I could answer, Kaden reached me. He stopped a few feet away, like he was afraid to get closer. Afraid I’d disappear if he moved wrong.

“Aria.” My name came out rough, broken. “You’re alive. You’re here. I’ve been searching everywhere. I thought—”

“Alpha Kaden.” I kept my voice formal, distant. “It’s been a while.”

He flinched at my tone. At the title instead of his name. “Please. Can we talk? Privately?”

“I don’t think that’s appropriate. We’re both here as representatives of our packs.” I gestured to Maya and Dax standing beside me. “Anything you need to say can be said here.”

“Aria, please.” His eyes were desperate. Pleading. “I know I hurt you. I know I made terrible choices. But please, just give me five minutes to explain.”

Every instinct screamed at me to say yes. To hear him out. To let him explain.

But I’d given him everything once before. Let him have all of me. And he’d chosen duty over love when it mattered.

“No,” I said quietly but firmly. “I don’t owe you an explanation or my time. You made your choice nine months ago. I’ve made mine.”

“You don’t understand. My father manipulated everything. Seraphina is a nightmare. I’ve been trying to find you to tell you—”

“That you made a mistake? That you regret it?” I stepped closer, making him meet my eyes. “I know you regret it, Kaden. I can feel it through the bond. But regret doesn’t change what happened. It doesn’t undo the damage.”

“I love you.” The words were raw. Honest. “I never stopped loving you.”

“Maybe you do. But love wasn’t enough before. Why would it be enough now?” I turned away. “Excuse me. I need to settle my pack in.”

I walked away with Maya and Dax following. Every step hurt. The bond pulled at me, wanting me to go back. Wanting me to forgive him.

But I kept walking.

Behind me, I heard Kaden say my name one more time. Broken and desperate.

I didn’t turn around.